Healing Him | ✓

20.

Shivaay woke from his short nap. His raised his head blinking when the blinds were opened. It was morning? The hell. His nap was not short in any way. He slept through the night. A glass of juice was placed on the table with a plate of buttered toast. He wasn't even fully awake yet.

He twisted his neck slightly to relieve the pain and stiffness he got from sleeping in the chair whole night. The laptop screen was dark and reflected his image. He clicked it open. The documents were done; he was working on them till the late of night, he must have fallen asleep sometime later after finishing them.

"I haven't even brushed yet." Shivaay spoke dabbing his face with the wet towel handed to him by his grandmother.

"Eat your breakfast and then take your medicines. You will again rush out without having breakfast if I don't push the food down your throat." His grandmother's voice was stern that left no room for the arguments.

"Did Om call? Or Rudra? They were supposed to reach Mumbai today." Shivaay said, swallowing the toast with the gulp of the orange juice. "No. When Rudra called yesterday, he informed me that they will reach by early evening. Eat calmly. What is the hurry? Day and night you're immersed in the business." She asked. Shivaay just shook his head.

"I'm going to freshen up. I am already late. You should have woke me up before." Shivaay said walking out of the door. It was 7:02. His grandmother stood there blinking, had she woken him an hour earlier the sun would have still been rising.

Shivaay adjusted his shoes a bit before he stepped out of the room.

He received the call, turning on the earbuds. He wore his seatbelt and spoke.

"Yes?" Shivaay asked his eyes focused on the road. Rudra's excited voice filled in. They will be arriving by five o'clock at the most, given Mumbai's traffic. Or that was what he was informed about.

"Come inside." Rudra said inviting her in. Annika hesitated. She wasn't sure about this idea. "I don't think this is good. Let me book a hotel or something." Annika tried. But Om shook his head. He placed his arm around her shoulder and guided her inside the mansion. She was staring at the place in awe. It was magnificent, truly defining the word.

"You agreed to the plan, so yeah. This all is included." Om winked at her.

"Om, Rudra—" Kalyani stopped in the middle of the sentence staring at the girl. Annika's eyes widened.

"Dadi, meet Annika! Bhaiya's friend." There was a sharp intake of breath from the matriarch.

"Annika." She faced the cold eyes of the lady. Her own eyes stayed fierce.

"Mrs. Oberoi." She greeted her with a smile. Did I do something wrong? Why is she looking at me like that? Am I intruding?

"Come inside. I'll have the guest room prepared." Om and Rudra exchanged looks. Their grandmother didn't look amused instead her face turned serious when they introduced her. That was not expected. They recognised the tension and diverted the subject.

"Well, not right now. Dadi must promise us that you won't speak of this to bhaiya. We are doing this all for him." Kalyani pursed her lips; he left the city because of her. What could possibly be the good thing in this? But she has no choice but to follow because it looks like her grandsons have already made up their mind.

"Don't mind her. She is usually stern when she meets someone for the first time. And she saw you after so many years. It might have been a surprise for her." Om explained. Not a nice one, Annika thought.

"I have already sent your papers to Mishra." Rudra winked pocketing his phone. "Thank you, Khanna." The man wiped the sweat from his forehead. Annika watched the scene amused.